Pursuing Purpose

BY BRIANNA STEPHENS

The path toward pursuing a calling or purpose can be unexpected, taking us places we thought we would not be and transforming our lives in ways we could not have imagined. In that winding journey, we often find ourselves where life needs us most and where God wants us to be. We discover more about ourselves, experience transformation, and learn the unique ways we are called to serve, create, and lead.

Guy Adams discovered his calling for philanthropy in his later years of college and built his professional life around pursuing it. While he envisioned having a career in higher education philanthropy, the twisting path of purpose brought him to Christian Appalachian Project (CAP).

Now, after 16 years, Adams will retire as CAP’s president/CEO on January 31, 2026. He is CAP’s fifth president and the second longest-serving leader after the organization’s founder, Reverend Ralph W. Beiting (1964–1986).

After discovering his passion for philanthropy while volunteering in Berea College’s development office, Adams’ first professional role was serving as CAP’s assistant director of development, which he did from 1982 to 1985. After three years, he left CAP and served in a variety of nonprofit positions, including higher education.

“Once I realized my calling, I followed it,” Adams said. He then moved into consulting, helping nonprofits build strategies around fundraising and philanthropy. That’s when a human resources firm approached him about a leadership role at CAP.

Adams told the firm he was not interested three times, but after several conversations and prayer, he began to reconsider. An avid inspirational collector of quotes, Adams said a quote from Joseph Campbell led him to rethink his path: “We must be willing to give up the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for the us,” he quoted.

“Despite the plans I had, God revealed to me the meaning of this opportunity through different things that happened and that particular quote,” Adams said.

“That was the breakthrough and confirmation that the Lord had something different and better for me. That’s when I became all in.”

When he came back to CAP as president/CEO, Adams was tasked with building an effective major gifts program for the organization. He accomplished that through strategic planning, creating priorities, and defining clear objectives. Since 2010, the major gifts program has grown from contributing 20% toward CAP’s net gift income to 50%.

“People give because they want to make a difference for others. We all want to make a difference,” Adams said. “The Lord uses each generous gift to help provide for CAP, to sustain our programs, and even grow them. We are grateful for each compassionate gift.”

Adams spends 70% of his time helping to raise CAP’s annual budget through philanthropy work, including traveling to meet with donors across the country.

“I’ve been blessed to have the ability to focus my work on philanthropy because I know it’s where I can make the greatest difference for CAP,” Adams said. “I have a great leadership team that supports my work and helps guide the organization.”

During his time as president/CEO, Adams and CAP’s leadership team have worked together to focus on the mission, prioritize strategic planning, build CAP’s culture, promote financial transparency, and create programs and opportunities for personal growth and leadership development for employees.

Over the years Adams and CAP leadership have also guided the organization through significant challenges, including the repercussions of the Great Recession and the difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although both events posed significant challenges and required CAP to adapt its approach, the organization persevered. With the steadfast support of donors and dedicated employees and volunteers, CAP discovered innovative ways to serve the region and maintained financial accountability, building monetary reserves through careful budgeting and stewardship of donor contributions. CAP’s programs collaborated more closely than ever before to ensure the highest quality of service was given each day.

“While some things have changed at CAP over the years, we’re always focused on our mission and on our core values of faith, service, and compassion,” Adams said. “These are not just words; they resonate with people in an important way. These are not things we are willing to compromise on.”

His journey of purpose led him back to CAP, where Adams now recognizes the profound impact the organization has had on his life.

“Shortly after I came back to CAP, I realized this is the something great to which God called me. This is my greatest way to impact God’s world while working alongside 182 other people who carry out this mission every day,” Adams said. “CAP means a whole lot to me. I don’t know what I’m going to do without it, but, even when I retire, I will always have CAP in my heart. CAP is the pinnacle of a whole life.”